In the first grade of elementary school, it is necessary to provide guidance on how to read picture books from a new viewpoint, rather than simply reading stories from early childhood picture books. The purpose of this research is to consider the significance of reading the pictures of a picture book and the abilities required to read a picture book. By studying picture books as teaching materials, imbued with pictorial elements we need to pay attention to, we outline a way to read pictures with words to young students. In addition, it can be shown that this reading ability supports links between the Japanese language department and the drawing department.